Meshell Ndegeocello pays tribute to Nina Simone on Saturday at the Kennedy Center (Photo via Facebook).
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10
Vocalist Tiya Ade leads a band from 6 to 9 p.m. at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. $5 at the door.
Simone Baron puts the accordion in an unusual context using her hybrid jazz ensemble, Arco Belo, which also incorporates strings and percussion. Baron is this month’s artist-in-residence at Strathmore, and plays a 7:30 p.m. recital. $17.
Israeli jazz pianist Tamir Hendelman brings his trio to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club for an 8 p.m. set. $30 plus minimum and surcharge.
Desiccant, a newly formed duo out of Philly featuring Andy Borsz and Mat Rademan, uses electronics and loops to create its ambient textures. The pair headlines a bill at Rhizome that includes Noise Nomads, Sharilyn Evertsz, and Kagami. 8 p.m. $10 at the door.
Bassist Cedric A. Napoleon was a founding member of the long-running smooth jazz group, Pieces of a Dream. He is now leading his own band and plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $25 plus minimum and surcharge.
Pitch Plot 4 is a collective of European and American musicians under the direction of the Dutch jazz flautist, Jeroen Pek, also featuring German pianist Christian Pabst, Dutch drummer Onno Witte and NYC-based bass player James Cammack. The quartet comes to Twins Jazz for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Baltimore’s Orchester Praževica plays high energy music that comes from the traditions of Eastern European Czardas and Gypsy Swing, accompanied by a heavy dose of jazz and blues. They will be at the Bossa Bistro & Lounge tonight. 9 p.m. FREE
THURSDAY, MAY 11
Rhizome presents a fascinating lineup of stringed instruments for this show. Susan Alcorn has taken the pedal steel guitar in new and unexpected directions. Also on the bill are Sahba Sizdahkhani, who plays the santoor, and Slovenian guitarist Primoz Sukic. 8 p.m. $10 at the door.
The Twins Jazz Orchestra plays 8 and 10 p.m. sets at the U Street club. $10 plus minimum and surcharge.
Lisa Fischer has sung backing vocals for the likes of Sting and The Rolling Stones. As a result, she was featured prominently in the Oscar-winning documentary, 20 Feet From Stardom. Fischer has formed her own band, Grand Baton, and the ensemble begins a four-night run of 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $60-$65 plus minimum and surcharge.
Los Gaiteros de SanGuashington is a band whose members came together to showcase the richness and diversity of Colombian music. The group plays the Bossa Bistro & Lounge at 9 p.m. FREE
FRIDAY, MAY 12
Busy area saxophonist Herb Scott has assembled a stellar ensemble of local artists to play Jazz Night in Southwest. 6-9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Trumpeter Kevin Cordt plays Mr. Henry’s. 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Dial 251 for Jazz plays 9 and 11 p.m. sets on Friday and Saturday at Twins Jazz. $15 plus minimum and surcharge.
SATURDAY, MAY 13
With her 2012 album, Pour une Âme Souveraine: A Dedication to Nina Simone, Meshell Ndegeocello put a contemporary twist on songs that Simone turned into jazz classics. Ndegeocello comes to the Kennedy Center‘s Crossroads Club to revisit songs from that recording. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. Tickets $35-$55.
Curved Light, Aaron Leitko, Jax Deluca provide an evening of experimental visuals and sound at Rhizome. 8 p.m. $10 at the door.
Christie Dashiell plays The Alex from 8 to 11 p.m. $20 minimum, reservations recommended.
Vocalist Candice Bostwick leads a group at Mr. Henry’s 8 to 11 p.m. Two item per person minimum.
Rochelle Rice plays Blues Alley on Tuesday.
SUNDAY, MAY 14
Rhizome‘s African Diaspora series continues with Cooper-Moore, Sha-Raw, and Dr. Thomas Stanley. 4 p.m. $10 in advance/$12 at the door.
Area vocalist Lavenia Nesmith takes the stage at Alice’s Jazz & Cultural Society. 6 to 9 p.m. $5 at the door.
Saxophonist Tissa Khosla leads a trio at Petworth’s Ten Tigers Parlour. The band includes bassist Mark Saltman and drummer Keith Butler Jr. 7 to 10 p.m. FREE
Chicago saxophonist/composer Ken Vandermark and New York trumpeter Nate Wooley bring their experimental and improvisational sounds to Capital Fringe. Area musicians Janel Leppin and Bonnie Jones perform as a duo to open. 7:30 p.m. $12 in advance/$15 at the door.
MONDAY, MAY 15
Saxophonist Jack Wright has been at the forefront of the free improvisation scene for over thirty years. His trio headlines a bill of free form musicians at Rhizome, starting at 8 p.m. $10 at the door.
Shahin Novrasli is originally from Azerbaijan, and his music skillfully blends his native folk music with a deep knowledge of jazz and classical piano. He plays an intimate duo performance at Blues Alley with bassist James Camack. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $22 plus minimum and surcharge.
Formed by composer/drummer John Hollenbeck in 1997, the Claudia Quintet has released eight critically acclaimed albums over the past two decades. The ensemble comes to Songbyrd along with Cuneiform Records label mates Janel & Anthony. 8 p.m. $15.
TUESDAY, MAY 16
Rochelle Rice is one of D.C.’s top vocalists, having been named Best Jazz Vocalist by the City Paper. She’ll bring a band to Blues Alley for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $20 plus minimum and surcharge.
